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The Alchemy Press Book of Ancient Wonders, edited by Jan Edwards and Jenny Barber, is soon to be out of print. If you haven’t bagged yourself a copy now is the time to do so. In a year used copies may be worth £££ or $$$.

“When we think of a wonder, our minds go most often to the great buildings of the past – the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge – but the human mind can make almost anything wondrous. We walk with wonders every day, through the power of curiosity and imagination and our human tendency to make stories about what we fear, what we desire, what we wish to understand. This collection offers new glimpses into the wonder we all feel.” – Kari Sperring

When we think of a wonder, our minds go most often to the great buildings of the past – the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge – but the human mind can make almost anything wondrous. We walk with wonders every day, through the power of curiosity and imagination and our human tendency to make stories about what we fear, what we desire, what we wish to understand. This collection offers new glimpses into the wonder we all feel. – Kari Sperring

… Too often, short stories are just tasters which leave the reader unfulfilled – almost all of these contain a complete narrative, a satisfying set-up and resolution (although some intriguing aspects inevitably retain their mystery – as they should!). An entertaining escape into ‘what if’ worlds. I’ll look out for other compilations from this publisher in future. 8/10.” — Rowena Hoseason

Here we are, coming up to the end of July and as always it is all systems go here at Alchemy Manor. First up is the short list for the British Fantasy Society Awards, which were announced this week. We are tickled pink to see the Alchemy Press nominated in no less than four categories, namely:

We at The Alchemy Press are saddened by the death of Tanith Lee (she passed away last Sunday). Her short story “The Mermaid” featured in The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic 2, edited by Jan Edwards and Jenny Barber. In his review of the book in Interzone, Ian Hunter describes this story as “…beautifully written and quite, quite shudderingly horrible.” Tanith was interviewed by us last September:

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing. How long have you been writing and how did you get started?

I’ve been writing since the age of 9 – about 57 years. Being slightly dyslexic (something unrecognised in my childhood) the school couldn’t teach me how to read. My father stepped in and taught me in a few months. About a year later, by then reading as a locust feeds, I began – as if logically – to write.

It’s already February in a cold and snowy Staffordshire Moorlands, but are we hibernating? We are not!

First and foremost, a reminder for those of you have may have missed it in the Christmas rush: we have for your delectation and delight a collection of short fiction from a master of the form. Tell No Lies by John Grant is a fabulous volume of twelve stories to thrill you and chill you and to take you on journeys of the fantastic!

It is an easy enough mistake to make – the most natural mistake in the world.

Cello is hooked up to the machine, but whose dreams does she experience?

The house is suddenly infested, but with … what?

At the Edinburgh Fringe he meets Kristie. She seems to be exactly what he needs.

The books Philip buys contain a signature that has no right to be there.

In a West Country village petrol is ridiculously cheap. Where does it come from?

Caught in a blizzard he finds himself in Memoryville … where he meets an old acquaintance…

Ginfalcio Beeswax and Truculence Fish are all that stand between the monsters from the blackness of outer space and the end of mankind. But are issues closer to home more frightening than multi-tentacled aliens?